Speech aid device

ABSTRACT

Two balls are connected by a deformable wire. The wire is malleable but capable of retaining the shape into which it is formed and is preferably covered with a soft plastic. The ends of the wire have a press fit in sockets in the balls and can be cut to a length such that, when the wire is U-shaped, the balls can be inserted under the sides of the tongue at the back of the mouth, the base of the U of the wire lying against the back of the lower front teeth.

United States Patent Clifford F. Quick Wallaceton, Pa.

Oct. 18, 1968 1 Jan. 19, 1971 Micro Wave Voice Corporation Rochester,N.Y.

a corporation of New York Inventor App]. No. Filed Patented AssigneeSPEECH AID DEVICE 2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

32/14 Int. Cl A611 5/58 Field of Search 128/137,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,818,065 12/1957 Freed128/137 3,162,948 12/1964 Gerber.... 32/14 3,205,577 9/1965 Linde 32/14Primary Examiner-Adele M. Eager Attorney-Bruns and Jenney ABSTRACT: Twoballs are connected by a deformable wire.

The wire is malleable but capable of retaining the shape into which itis formed and is preferably covered with a soft plastic. The ends of thewire have a press fit in sockets in the balls and can be cut to a lengthsuch that, when the wire is U-shaped, the balls can be inserted underthe sides of the tongue at the back of the mouth, the base of the U ofthe wire lying against the back of the lower front teeth.

- PATIENTEUTJANI 915m INVfNTOR.

v CLIFFORD EQUICK BY (A M I l V season AID DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a speech aid worn in the mouth andmore particularly relates to easily adjustable means for retain ing thedevice in position. I

It has long been known that when a bulky object is inserted under eachside of the tongue it aids in articulation and preventing stuttering andstammering.

Such speech aids, however, have heretofore been uncomfortable and bulkyto wear andhavebeen either molded to fit the individual mouth or havebeen manufactured in a plurality of sizes necessitating lengthy andexpensive fitting procedures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention contemplates two metal or plasticballs held in place beneath the back of the tongue by a U-shapedmalleable wire whose ends are fitted in sockets in the balls. The wireis plastic coated to be more comfortable and bent portion of the wirewhich fits against the back of the lower front teeth has been found toprevent lisping by tempting the tip of the tongue to explore it. Theends of the wire can be removed from the balls and clipped to shortenthe wire for those with short lower aws.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a speech aid whichcan be self-fitted, worn concealed in the mouth, and which is notuncomfortable to wear.

Another important object is to provide such a speech aid which can beeconomically made but which will aid in articulation, preventstammering, stuttering and lisping, and which will improve the timbreand quality of the voice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a diagrammatical plan view,as worn, of a speech aid according to the invention;

and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical fragmentary plan view of a lower jaw, partlyin section, showing the device in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT I I figuration. Wire 13 iscovered with a plastic coating 14,

preferably of pharos polymers which is soft and pliable and renders thedevice more comfortable to wear.

The balls 11 are of stainless steel or of plastic and may be spheres, asshown, or may be spheroidal. Each ball has a socket 15 into which theend 16 of the plastic-coated wire fits with a press fit. The balls maybe supplied in different sizes one-fourth inch; three-eighths inch andone-half inch in diameter, for example. I

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical side elevational view thereof;

The coated wire member 12, shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 and 2, hasa central wire 13 of about 16 gage and is covered with a coating ofplastic 14 to a total thickness of about three thirty-seconds inch totaldiameter. Member 12 may be from about 2 inches in length to about 3inches for persons with long jaws.

Since the ends 16 of member 12 are removable from the sockets 15 in theballs, the member 12 may be easily shortened by the wearer by clippingoff both ends or by clipping off one end and reshaping the member.

The base 17 or curved portion of the U-shaped member is adapted to fitagainst the back of the front teeth 20 of the lower jaw 21, as shown inFIG. 3, the length of member 12 being such as to place the balls in theregion of the back two molars 22 on either side of the base 23 of thetongue, the tongue itself lying on top of the balls.

This raises the tongue muscles and gives then a support when the musclesare weak or dormant. With the support afforded by the balls 11 themuscles are strengthened when the device 10 is used in talking orsinging, immediate improvement invoice tone and timbre being apparent insome users. Using the device for a period of time improves articulationfor speakers and singers, assists stammerers and stutterers inovercoming their impediment, and has been known to improve a singersvoice by opening the throat as the tongue muscle is developed.

Further correction may be obtained by bending the member 12 as shown inFIG. 2. This effects a further raising of the tongue by the balls 11 andhas been found to assist in correcting a lisp, the tongue, playing withthe forward end 17 of member 12, is assisted in being kept fromprotruding between the teeth in talking.

The device 10 may be worn concealed during the day and removed for mealsand during the night.

As will be apparent to those familiar with the art, the invention may beembodied in other specific forms without depaning from the spirit oressential characteristics thereof. The embodiment disclosed, therefore,is to be considered in all respects as illustrative rather thanrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A speech aid adapted to be worn in the mouth, comprising a pair ofsolid spheroidal balls adapted to be placed under the sides of thetongue and a connecting wire having its ends secured in a socket in arespective ball, the wire being deformable, and of a material having amemory for retaining its formed shape, and being of a length to retainthe balls adjacent the back molar teeth under the tongue when formed ina U-shaped with the base of the U lying against the back of the frontteeth of the lower jaw.

2. The speech aid defined in claim 1 characterized by the wire being ofsoft stainless steel covered with a thin layer of soft plastic materialunaffected by fluids and tissues of the mouth, the covered wire endsbeing removably received in the ball sockets, whereby the aid may beself-fitted by clipping the wires ends to the desired length and.bending to the desired shape.

1. A speech aid adapted to be worn in the mouth, comprising a pair ofsolid spheroidal balls adapted to be placed under the sides of thetongue and a connecting wire having its ends secured in a socket in arespective ball, the wire being deformable, and of a material having amemory for retaining its formed shape, and being of a length to retainthe balls adjacent the back molar teeth under the tongue when formed ina U-shaped with the base of the U lying against the back of the frontteeth of the lower jaw.
 2. The speech aid defined in claim 1characterized by the wire being of soft stainless steel covered with athin layer of soft plastic material unaffected by fluids and tissues ofthe mouth, the covered wire ends being removably received in the ballsockets, whereby the aid may be self-fitted by clipping the wires endsto the desired length and bending to the desired shape.